As winter fast approaches and we begin to turn on the heating, the Public Health Agency (PHA) is advising people during Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week (19 - 23 November 2012), to buy and fit a carbon monoxide (CO) alarm. CO poisoning can be fatal and affect anyone. However, children, older people, pregnant women and people with heart or breathing problems are more vulnerable to its effects.

Ahead of this year’s International Survivors of Suicide Day, Families’ Voices Forum and the Public Health Agency (PHA) is hosting a joint event today in Antrim to look at what can be done to assist families bereaved by suicide across Northern Ireland and to enable bereaved individuals to come together to discuss their experiences.

In support of the 1st Worldwide Stop Pressure Ulcer Day, (16 November) the Tissue Viability Nurse Network, Northern Ireland (TVNN NI) today, 14 November, hosted a conference to raise awareness of pressure ulcer prevention, at which the Public Health Agency (PHA), launched a new information leaflet* for patients and carers.

The Public Health Agency (PHA) and Environmental Health Officers from Belfast City Council are satisfied that the outbreak of Escherichia coli (E. coli) O157 linked to Flicks restaurant in Cityside Mall, 100-150 York Street, Belfast is now over. As of 3pm on Wednesday 14 November 2012, there were 138 confirmed cases and 163 probable cases.

The Public Health Agency (PHA) is today publishing the results of the 2012 Point Prevalence Survey (PPS) of hospital-acquired Infections (HAI) and antimicrobial use (AMU) in Northern Ireland. The survey helps to determine the overall burden of HAI and AMU in our acute hospitals and also helps to inform the priority areas for future working.

In 2012, 32,973 people were registered as having Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) in Northern Ireland. The most common cause of COPD is smoking, so to mark this year’s World COPD day, which takes place today (Wednesday 14 November), the Public Health Agency (PHA) is encouraging all smokers to make a decision to stop smoking today and reduce their risk of developing the disease – it’s never too late to quit!

Diabetes affects over 75,000 adults in Northern Ireland, however many cases of diabetes are preventable and are the result of obesity. With this in mind, on World Diabetes Day, 14 November 2012, the Public Health Agency (PHA) is encouraging everyone across Northern Ireland to be aware of how type 2 diabetes can be prevented, the dangers it can cause to your health and what the signs and symptoms of diabetes are to ensure early diagnosis.

The Public Health Agency (PHA) and Environmental Health Officers from Belfast City Council are continuing to investigate an outbreak of Escherichia coli (E. coli) O157 linked to Flicks restaurant in Cityside Mall, 100-150 York Street, Belfast. As of 3pm on Wednesday 7 November 2012, there were 137 confirmed cases and 164 probable cases.